Apollo

Why might Adichie have chosen kung fu to symbolize Okenwa’s growing recognition of his gay identity?

How much do you trust Okenwa’s perceptions of other people? He apparently misinterpreted signs of romantic interest from Raphael: What else might he have a skewed or biased viewpoint about?

How much does Raphael’s lower-class status play into Okenwa’s attraction to him? Is there some part of Okenwa that enjoys the novelty of Raphael’s poverty?

How does Adichie suggest the growing closeness between Okenwa and Raphael? What cues indicate that it might be romantic, and how do you interpret those in retrospect?

What is the significance of the story’s title?

Okenwa tells the story of his childhood friendship with Raphael in retrospect. How does Adichie convey how Okenwa’s perceptions of this episode have changed over time?

Compare Okenwa’s guilt over what he did to Raphael with his more generalized guilt about failing to live up to his parents’ expectations.

What particular books does Okenwa allude to in his discussion of his childhood? What significance do these have for the story?